The Honda CR-V is a great compact SUV choice, but which engine and trim are the best in the lineup?
Is the Honda CR-V reliable?
Consumer Reports (CR) surveys result in Honda ranked fifth out of 30 car brands for reliability, but Honda vehicles perform very well in CR’s road tests, so every single model in Honda’s lineup is recommended by that publication. However, the conventional gas-powered CR-V has a very respectable Predicted Reliability score of 78, while the CR-V Hybrid struggles with a 54, stemming from some powertrain issues in the first two years of its launch.
2024 Honda CR-V engine options
As mentioned, the 2024 Honda CR-V can be purchased with two engine options: 1.5L turbo four-cylinder gas engine or hybrid 2.0L four-cylinder gas engine paired with 135-kW electric motor and 1.40-kWh lithium-ion battery.
The 1.5 turbo-four generates 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) routes power to the front or all four wheels, except in the base LX-B, which is exclusively front-wheel drive. The base model weighs in at 1,583 kg (3,490 lbs) and the top EX-L AWD gas model is 1,656 kg (3,651 lbs), while the Sport AWD trim we tested was 1,615 kg (3,560 lbs). The CR-V Sport AWD had modest acceleration when driven casually, but if you really need some jump, the CVT works to keep the engine in its peak power range, and delivers decent acceleration from a stop, but struggles to build up passing power on the highway, so plan accordingly. Aggressive throttle results in a considerable amount of CVT whine and engine drone, none of which you will be eager to listen to.
2024 Honda CR-V efficiency
2024 Honda CR-V Canadian pricing
- 2024 Honda CR-V LX-B – $35,125
- 2024 Honda CR-V LX-B AWD – $37,925
- 2024 Honda CR-V Sport AWD – $42,075
- 2024 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD – $44,275
- 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid EX-L AWD – $46,775
- 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring AWD – $49,775
- 2024 Honda CR-V Freight & PDI $2,000
Key features of the Sport trim include a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power moonroof, Black Sport badging and 18-inch black alloy wheels, rear cross traffic alerts and the full Honda Sensing safety suite: forward collision warning (FCW), lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, blind spot information (BSI) — the last two are excluded from base LX-B models. The step up to the EX-L includes some nice perks like leather seats, wireless charging & wireless Apple Carplay/Android Auto, nine-inch display with eight speakers, memory driver’s seat, plus front and rear parking sensors. To make the leap into the EX-L Hybrid requires a $2,500 premium for all the same gear, and the top CR-V Hybrid Touring trim is $49,775, adding BOSE 12-speaker audio, built-in navigation, hands-free power liftgate, and 19-inch black-alloy wheels.
2024 Honda CR-V Canadian cargo and passenger space
The Honda CR-V has always been a segment leader in terms of cargo space and practicality, and both the Hybrid and gas-only trims deliver over 1,000 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, and over 2,000L with the rear seats folded, and 60/40 split folding seats for maximum cargo practicality. That being said, the Hybrids do give up a bit of an edge with 1,028/2,030L of cargo space compared to the gas models’ 1,113/2,166L, and they lose the adjustable cargo floor feature. On the flip side, the Hybrids get a little extra towing capacity with 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds) to 453 kg (1,000 lbs).
When it comes to interior space for passengers, there is no difference and the CR-V has a very roomy second row with plenty of headroom, legroom, shoulder and hip room in the front and back seat. The seats in the CR-V Hybrid Touring were markedly superior for comfort thanks to the increased adjustability and I particularly appreciate the memory seats, but cooled seats are not available in any trim on the CR-V, which is a bit disappointing when the pricing is creeping into the $50k zone.
Honda CR-V Canadian competitors
Popular Compact SUVs Specs Comparison
So which 2024 Honda CR-V Model and trim should you buy?
After poring over the option sheets, pricing, and driving over 2,000 km split between the CR-V Hybrid Touring and CR-V Sport 1.5L Turbo, my vote for the best Honda CR-V goes to the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid EX-L. Yes, the Hybrid only starts at $48,775 when you lump in the freight charge, but realistically you are not walking out the door with any AWD CR-V for less than $40k, and the mid-grade sport felt decidedly spartan with its smaller screen and lack of certain amenities.
And thinking in terms that most shoppers use when purchasing, the difference in payments over a 60-month financing term is $25 bi-weekly, and as the price of fuel continues to climb, the approximately 2.0 L/100 km efficiency savings will fee. The Honda CR-V has grown from its compact roots and it is a sizeable vehicle well equipped to handle all the practical needs of a family of four, with exceptional ease of use and comfort.
2025 Honda CR-V info and Canadian pricing
We drove 2024 Honda CR-V models, but Honda has already announced some changes to the CR-V lineup for the 2025 model year, eliminating the non-hybrid EX-L trim and nudging prices up slightly. Aside from that, the 2025 Honda CR-V is largely carryover, but Honda has added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as standard equipment for all trims.
- 2025 Honda CR-V LX – $35,725
- 2025 Honda CR-V LX AWD -$38,525
- 2025 Honda CR-V Sport AWD – $42,125
- 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid EX-L AWD – $47,325
- 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring AWD – $49,825
- 2025 Honda CR-V Freight & PDI $2,000
2024 Honda CR-V Pros and Cons
Pros
✔ Excellent practicality
✔ Easy to drive and comfortable
✔ Efficient in hybrid or gas trims
Cons
✘ Gas model feels underpowered
✘ Noise levels and mediocre sound system
✘ Feature content not as good as competitors
Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on X, Tiktok and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.